Bhavina hoped her silver medal will set an example that ‘Nothing is impossible’

Paddler Bhavina Hasmukhbhai Patel made the country’s National Sports Day a day to remember for Para sports for a long time, winning the first ever Paralympic medal – a Silver -- in Table Tennis. This was also India’s first medal at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Patel, who has shown terrific form in Tokyo pulling off upsets since her opening game, went down to China’s Zhou Ying 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-6) to bring home the silver in women’s singles Class 4 Finals.

On Saturday, Patel stormed into the finals with a stunning 3-2 win over Zhang Miao of China, London 2012 Paralympic champion in the TT4-5 Team event, after she got past Serbia's world No. 2 Borislava Rankovic 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

It was surely a special moment for Patel, who comes from a small sleepy village Sundhiya in Vadnagar Taluka in Mahesana district of Gujarat. And it was her sheer ‘hard work’ and ‘will’ which helped her rise to the occasion.

“I’m very happy to win the silver medal. This is a dream come true. But I am a little disappointed as well. I got a bit nervous,” said Patel, who had missed out the ticket to Rio in 2016.

“Accessibility is a major issue in our country, and so are jobs and other opportunities. I would be very glad if my medal can become the voice for the people with disabilities, and they get their due with opportunities and accessibility. I also believe that this Silver medal will set an example for the people with disabilities that ‘nothing is impossible’.

“My advice to all the women will be ‘believe in yourself and just go for it’,” said Patel.

Praises came for Patel from several corners, even Prime Minister Narendra Modi @narendramodi tweeted: 'The remarkable Bhavina Patel has scripted history! She brings home a historic Silver medal. Congratulations to her for it. Her life journey is motivating and will also draw more youngsters towards sports. #Paralympics'

'Felt like Passing on the Baton'

Meanwhile, Paralympic Committee of India President Dr. Deepa Malik was overjoyed with India’s first medal coming in Para Table Tennis.

"It’s absolutely stunning to see Bhavina’s performance at Tokyo. Her game, skills, patience and focus has been world-class. Our silver girl has gifted the nation with a Silver on the National Sports Day. And I think it is the most apt day to create history for any sportsperson. Many Congratulations. We, at PCI, are very happy and very proud of her and her achievement.

“On a personal level, it felt like passing on the baton. I always wanted women participation to come forward and moreover women on wheelchairs to make more medals so that we can create more inclusivity and break the stereotypes and taboos around disability. And Bhavina has just done that. She will be a huge role model for women empowerment and gender equality in the country,” said Dr. Malik, a silver medallist at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games